Discovery in Türkiye’s Kayseri: 4,000-year-old culinary secrets revealed

Türkiye’s Kayseri, a city with a rich history, is renowned for the ancient archaeological site Kultepe Kanis-Karum. Recent excavations led by professor Dr. Fikri Kulakoglu have uncovered fascinating insights into the region’s culinary past.

The team discovered that 4,000 years ago, locals enjoyed a special cheese known as “Kultepe Peyniri.”

This cheese, mentioned in ancient tablets, was a staple for travelers, showing its significance and durability for long journeys.

Dr. Kulakoglu emphasized the continuity of culinary traditions in the region. “What we see today in terms of geography and food products existed 4,000 years ago,” he explained.

This discovery highlights the cultural importance of local delicacies, such as the preserved and dried meat that accompanied the Kultepe cheese.

What else you can eat in Kayseri

Kayseri is famous for its rich and diverse culinary traditions. Here are some of the most beloved dishes:

Manti: Kayseri’s famous dumplings

Manti are small dumplings filled with spiced meat, typically served with garlic yogurt sauce and a drizzle of melted butter mixed with tomato paste. This dish exemplifies the region’s expertise in combining flavors and textures. Visitors must try manti to experience the unique taste of Kayseri.

Pastirma: Kayseri’s legendary cured meat

Pastirma is highly seasoned, air-dried cured beef, often sliced thinly and enjoyed on its own or as a topping on various dishes, including the local specialty “yumurtali pide” (egg-topped flatbread, usually also with minced meat).

This egg-topped flatbread, filled with cheese, peppers, and sometimes pastirma, is a beloved breakfast item in Kayseri.

Yaglama: Kayseri’s layered meat and sauce layered dish

Yaglama resembles a meat and sauce-filled lasagna but uses thin flatbreads instead of pasta. This hearty meal transforms simple ingredients into a delightful and satisfying dish. Yaglama showcases Kayseri’s ability to create complex flavors from basic ingredients.

Sucuk lokum: A natural Turkish delight

For dessert, sucuk lokum, a sausage-shaped sweet made from boiled grape must, flour and walnuts, offers a unique taste of Kayseri. This sweet blend of flavors is a perfect end to any meal, reflecting the city’s culinary creativity.

These dishes, both ancient and modern, illustrate Kayseri’s vibrant culinary heritage, rooted in centuries-old traditions yet continually evolving.

Visitors to Kayseri can enjoy these flavors at various local eateries, ensuring an authentic taste of this historical city’s rich gastronomic landscape.